Happy December everyone! As you may or may not know, in addition to promoting First Friday, the Missoula Cultural Council also produces First Night Missoula and this year its going to be awesome, but we need your help. First Night is a community event made for the people and run by the people. We have over 90 artists and events spread out across 25 venues. It's going to take a lot of volunteers, but it's also going to be a lot of fun. Volunteer shifts run from 2 to 3 hours and come with a free first night button.

(Ain't it purty? That bad boy could be all yours come December 31st.) You guys, volunteering is just two hours of your day, and you spend it meeting and greeting the public, making new friends, seeing great local talent and helping out at a great event and at the end of it you can go enjoy all the music, theatre, dance, poetry, art, and yes even ponies, you want. So if you want to volunteer for First Night Missoula give us a call at 406.541.0860 or just email me at matt@missoulacultural.org.If volunteering isn't your thing, no problem. Throughout the month of December First Night Missoula buttons will be available at various retail locations throughout Missoula and the Bitterroot as well as online at www.missoulcultural.org.In other news, the month of December is sponsored by the lovely and talented people of MCAT, A.K.A. Missoula Community Access Television. Stop by and check out some of the great cinematic art some of your local Missoulians have been putting together.

Galleries

Sutton West Pop Up Gallery

112 West Front Street

"A Celebration of Old and New Friends"

Please join Sutton West for "A Celebration
of Old and New Friends" at our pop-up location in the Florence building.
We are currently open Wed-Saturday 11-5 and will continue to be in this space
for the month of December, with some extended hours as Christmas approaches. We
have lots of great artists and would love to see you! Please stop by for a
glass of wine and some good cheer!George Gogas, Stephanie Frostad, Elizabeth Bass, Russell
Chatham, Noellynn Pepos, Kent Lovelace, Scot Herries, Antonia Wolf, Marc Bohne,
Kathi Quick, Brian Schweyen, Theresa Warner, Barbara Morrison, Janet
Christenot, Lois Silver, David Swanson. We also have a secondary
market room with some awesome pieces by Ansel Adams, Jacob Lawrence, Bill
Schenk, Walter Hook, Russell Chatham oils and more.

Missoula Art Museum

335 North Pattee Street

Shalene Valenzuela

Visit MAM for First
Friday from 5-8 pm. View exhibitions in six galleries, sample delicious wine,
beer, and non-alcoholic beverages. Explore the new body of ceramic sculptures
created by Missoula artist Shalene Valenzuela. Join us at 7 PM for a gallery
talk with the artist in which Valenzuela will talk about the rich content of her
ceramics which cover topics ranging from fairytales, urban mythologies, consumer
culture, societal expectations, etiquette, and coming-of-age issues.
Stylistically, Valenzuela’s imagery is found in ‘dated’ sources that represent
an idealized time in society, but beneath the shiny veneer of these relics hides
a complex and sometimes contradicting truth. Thanks to the Missoulian for their
support of MAM’s First Fridays. Free.

The Clay Studio of Missoula1106 A Hawthorne

Holiday Sale & Exhibition

The exhibition opens with a First Friday reception from 5:30pm to 9:00 pm on December 7th, and continues through December 21st. Gallery hours for the sale will be M-F 10 am to 4 pm and 11 am to 5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Be sure also to check out the Holiday Open House, coming your way on December 15th from 3 pm to 8 pm. The open house will feature throwing demos, a kid's holiday decoration table, raffle items, snacks, music and more!

The paintings featured are: Top (Left to Right): "Peaceful Beauty - Lee Metcalf" by Francis Switzer, "Where Everything is not as it Seemed" by Dudley Dana, "Morning in the Flathead" by Jeff Walker and Bottom (Left to Right): "Copan 1" by R. David Wilson, "Late Night Conversations" by Wesley Drake, "Red Legs" by Carol Spielman.

The Brink Gallery

111 West Front Street

"Art House Matinee" by Tim T. Thornton

The Brink Gallery is pleased to announce the upcoming exhibition "art house
matinee", by Missoula artist, Tim T. Thornton. Thornton was born and
raised in California, graduating in 1984 with a BFA from the California College
of Arts. Before moving to Missoula in 2005, he not only painted scenes in
Hollywood, he was also the charge scenic artist for the Performing Arts program
at the University of California at Berkeley. "I was powerless to resist,
and was taken in by the movies at an early age. To my impressionable mind, the
screen images lasted long after the ending credits rolled. In choosing
an image to paint, I return to the cinematic icon. I want my images to be
oversize and bold, in high contrast, reminiscent of the style of brightly
colored movie posters. Painting like film is a form of illusion. The added
benefit of painting is I get to be in charge of my picture. I have ultimate say
over casting, lighting, staging, costume, etc." Please join us
for a reception with the artist on Friday, December 7th, 5 - 8pm.

The Artists' Shop

127 North Higgins

"Born and Raised: The Alley Cat Series" Acrylic on Canvas by Rich Lande

The Artists' Shop, gallery of local art and fine craft,
NEW LOCATION at 127 N. Higgins, Missoula, presents "Born and Raised: The Alley Cat Series" - Acrylic on
Canvas by Rich Lande of Hamilton who has this to say about his show,As time passes, the more Missoula grows, yet the alleys remain the same. It's good to be back home." You are invited to an artist's reception on First
Friday, December 7, from 5-8 pm. The show may be viewed through
December (open 10-6
Mon-Fri. 10-5 Sat & Sun)

Brunswick Gallery223 West Railroad StreetNew and Selected Work from Kristi Hager and Leslie Van Stavern Millar

Leslie Van Stavern Millar and Kristi Hager will be opening a show of new and selected paintings and drawings at the Brunswick Gallery. It will be a four day show, opening on First Friday (December 7th) with additional shows on Saturday December 8th (noon to 4), Friday December 14th (5 to 8 pm), and Saturday December 15th (noon to 4 pm). The show on the 14th of December will feature a holiday performance at 7 pm. The painting featured here is by Kristi Hager.

FrontierSpace Missoula

Gallery in the Alley: West of Higgins, between Spruce & Pine

"TBA" Anonymous Group Exhibit

In keeping with their clandestine nature, FrontierSpace presents a show without a description. Who are these anonymous artists? Well that kind of defeats the purpose doesn't it? Be adventurous this First Friday and see what's in the alley.

Monte Dolack Gallery

139 West Front Street

"Chief Cliff" by Monte Dolack

For November the Monte Dolack Gallery celebrates the release of a new limited edition archival digital print "Chief Cliff" by Monte Dolack, 2012. Please join us for First Friday Art Night on November 2nd along with music by Dan Dubuque, refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome.

Murphy ~ Jubb Fine Art210 North Higgins, Suite 300

Kendahl Jan Jubb, James Hewes, Suzanne MingoThis month the Murphy ~ Jubb Fine Art Gallery brings us a variety of mediums and artists. Ceramic works by James Hewes and Photography by Suzanne Mingo accompany Kendahl Jan Jubb's watercolors. In celebration of the Humane Society's 50th anniversiary, 2013 calendars featuring the paintings of Kendahl Jan Jubb will be available for purchase.

VonCommon

139 East Main Street, Suite 316

"Art Blizzard" Fine Art & Jewelry Holiday Sale

VonCommon will be hosting the 'Art Blizzard' fine art and jewelry holiday sale
on First Friday Dec 7th. This event will feature the work of the VonCommon
resident artists (Adelaide Every, Jonathan Marquis, B. Jean S., and Chase
McBride) as well as the creations of Marlo Crocifisso, Erin Sipe, Julie
Tompkins, Lady Pajama, and more. 5-9pm

Montana Art & Framing

709 Ronan Street

"World of Structures" Group Art Show

The drawings and paintings of Barb Schwarz Karst, Courtney Blazon, and Candice Mancini explore structures of all kinds: bodies, faces, and buildings, landscapes of meats, beets, and sweets. Structures can be simple, complex, small, or large, but at the heart of any structure is a singular dot. Or a line. A smudged thought. The exhibition will run through December 28th. A First Friday Gallery Opening will be held 5 - 9 pm, Dec. 7th.

Venues

Bella Sauvage Day Spa

629 Woody Street

Dani'z Designz

Dani Stewart is a local jewelry designer who creates beaded jewelry using a combination of natural stones, freshwater pearls, crystals and sterling silver. Dani'z Designz is now featuring her newest pendants (made from recycled materials) bronze, silver and copper. All of Dani's jewelry is uniquely hand crafted and individually created.

Betty's Divine

521 South Higgins

"In Our Neighborhood" by Amber Pouty

Betty's First Friday in December will feature local artist Amber Prouty.
This show, entitled "In our Neighborhood," will feature multiple pieces each of
which are a representation of an event in the neighborhood. Prouty's neighborhood is located right here in the year 2021. And in the year 2021 in Missoula, the roles between people
and animals have blurred in the evolution of their bodies. Life has become more
like a science fiction film, humans have become more animalistic in communication, and the animals are our neighbors. Welcome to the neighborhood! To help benefit the neighborhood
all pieces are for sale with 15% going to the Missoula YWCA. Come one, come all
between 5 and 8 and enjoy miniature masterpieces, as well as Bernice's goodies
and wine.

Blaque Owl Tattoo

307 North Higgins

Melissa Thompson the "Rugged Peddler"

Blaque Owl Tattoo at 307 N. Higgins is showcasing the work of Melissa Thompson. For the month of December, Melissa will be exhibiting her beautiful handmade felt rugs as well as felted silk scarves, dozens of original drawings, and artistic t-shirts. This show is a great opportunity to find a creative holiday gift. Many of her unique works are priced under $50. A preview of some of the work that will be on display can be viewed on her Rugged Peddler facebook page.

Butterfly Herbs

Higgins

"Handwoven Artistry" by Bonnie Tarses

Draught Works

915 Toole Avenue

Hailey Hannah Schofield

Hailey Hannah Schofield, recently relocated to Missoula Montana from Burlington,
Vermont. Hailey is an artist and art educator in town. Her works on display are
a variety of pen and ink illustrations, as well as a combination of hand
silkscreen prints with ink and gouache whimsical designs. Her work is both
imaginative and realistic, with a use of repetition and organic abstract shapes.
Hailey Schofield’s work will be on display at Draught Works brewery for the
month of December. Also happening this First Friday at Draught works is artist Jason Bowman as he continues work on his series of "live paintings". Bowman has come to Draught Works for the past seven First Fridays to create a painting on the spot. When he gets to twelve, we'll see what his year of art has produced.

Fact & Fiction

220 North Higgins

"Missoula: The Way Nature Intended" 2013 Calendar by Open Aid Alliance, Youa Photography and the Montana Marketing Group

Open Aid Alliance, a nonprofit organization providing HIV and hepatitis C outreach and services for people living with HIV/AIDS in western Montana announces the release of Missoula: The way nature intended. This 2013 calendar and other products promote a sustainable and healthy lifestyle through tastefully provocative photos featuring some of the people and places that make Missoula special. The calendar is a collaborative effort between Open Aid Alliance, Youa Photography and the Montana Marketing Group. A launch party will take place at Fact & Fiction in downtown Missoula on December 7th during First Friday festivities. Calendars are available to order online and available in numerous retail locations throughout Missoula including the Bookstore at the University of Montana, Fact and Fiction, Betty’s Divine, the Downtown Dance Collective, The Green Light, MSO HUB and other locations throughout Missoula. Please visit www.OpenAidAlliance.com to purchase a 2013 calendar and support Open Aid Alliance.

House Design Studio

133 North Higgins

"Boundless Natural Beauty" Photography by Michael Chilcoat

It was 1996 when Mike bought his first Film SLR in an attempt to capture some of the magnificent places and adventures he was finding himself in after moving west in the early nineties. His work has been published in various popular magazines such as Town & Country, Outdoor Photography (UK), Departures Magazine, Travel and Leisure, as well as many websites and catalogs. Mike currently resides in Whitefish, MT to be close to the wild, natural outdoor spaces he loves. He has also explored and lived in other parts of the western U.S. for many years including Colorado, Utah, and Oregon. To him, there is no place like Montana. His three favorite subjects to shoot are beautiful landscapes that have interesting lighting in order to create large fine are prints, outdoor action for catalog and web, and wildlife in the great outdoors. He says, "There is nothing quite like being in the moment, capturing an event that will never happen in exactly the same way again. I can only hope some of the passion I have for the boundless natural beauty that surrounds us shows through in my photography. I also hope you enjoy looking through these images as much as I've enjoyed capturing them."

Hunter Bay Coffee

101 East Front Street

Beverly McGowan

Beverly McGowan's entrance into the world of photography started just 5 years
ago. Since then, her work has graced the covers of books, calendars, and
corporate publications where she has received numerous awards for her work.
Beverly's eye is unique to the point that it clearly differentiates her work
from other photographers. Beverly will be exhibiting her work for the first
time in Missoula on December 7th, First Friday Night in the lobby of the First
Interstate Bank building located at the corner of Higgins Ave. and Front Street,
hosted by The Hunter's Bay Coffee Shop located on the first floor. The
entertainment for the evening will be Fred Cuddeback and Jerry McGowan on
guitars. Fred and Jerry have been playing together for several years and only
occasionally come out to perform in public, so don't miss out on this
opportunity to hear them live! One lucky person attending the evening will
receive a signed and framed photograph by Beverly, so we encourage everyone to
come out and enjoy the evening festivities!

Jeanette Rankin Peace Center

519 South Higgins

Kid's Night 5 -7

It's time once again for our annual Kid's Night. Drop off your kids with a budget and a list of holiday gifts to buy. Our volunteers will help them pick out the perfect gifts and then wrap them up. Refreshments and lots of fun!

The Loft of Missoula

119 West Main Street

Benefit Raffle for Parkinsons, Paintings by Hadley Ferguson and Others

This raffle offers the unique opportunity to help people with
Parkinson’s disease (PD), and their supporting families, who face
healthcare challenges in the rural communities of Montana. The funds raised
will go to the Montana-based Summit for Parkinson’s and their newly
inaugurated Parkinson’s Rural Initiative.Many people in the Montana
Parkinson’s community face the challenges of living in rural areas with few
accessible resources, high medical bills with low incomes, and difficulties
traveling to reach the nearest doctor, support group, or physical therapy
facility. This population is underserved and Summit for Parkinson’s is taking
on this challenge. The Parkinson’s Rural Initiative, is designed to reach
everyone regardless of geographic location, through educational materials and
conferences

accessible via the internet, DVDs and books. The materials will
provide people with tools, exercise routines and training methods that
address life skills to maximize their quality of life and time spent with
loved ones as they deal with the daily challenges of PD. Summit for
Parkinson’s long-term goal is to develop a model in Montana that can then be
utilized to serve the 20% of Americans with PD in rural communities
throughout the United States. By purchasing tickets, you have the
opportunity to win artwork by Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey, Kira Fercho, Hadley
Ferguson, Carol Hagan, Echo Ukrainetz, Ron Ukrainetz and Paul Waldum. We want
to thank you in advance for your support and generosity.Hadley Ferguson is a prominent Montana artist who graduated
from the University of Montana in 1999 with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine
Arts. After graduating Hadley moved to Portland Oregon and began work as
an artist. Two years later Hadley returned to Missoula, Montana and
developed a successful full-time business painting commissions for private
and public entities. Hadley is Vice President of Summit for
Parkinson's, a group she co-founded soon after she was diagnosed with Young
Onset Parkinson's in 2010. Curently, as she works through the process of new
challenges with difficult changes to her diagnosis, she is grateful for the
people she has met in the Parkinson's community and her support group of new
friends. It is because of these people that she is determined to continue to
fight and help others with this disease so they can have as many tools as
possible to help them live their lives to the fullest. http://www.summitforparkinsons.org/events/art-raffle/

MCAT will be showing the work of our own
Christian Ackerman and his equally creative brother Chad Ackerman on First
Friday. Chad recently completed a music video and an album for his new solo
career as Veil. MCAT will be showing the title track from Chad’s new album. The
music video features amazing make-up effects to create animal/human creatures
and zombies with a strong message about ethics in eating.

Mismo Gymnastics

1900 West Broadway

Mismo's First Friday with SpectrUM

5:30 pm to 9:30 pm $25/ 1st child $10/ each additional sibbling Dinner provided by Biga Pizza.This event is four hours of non-stop fun, flipping and fine arts for kids! SpectrUM will be joining us to make slime with the kids. These events are hugely popular so they must be closed at 80 kids. The events DO FILL...so call Mismo Gymnastics today to save your child's spot. 406.728.0908.

Prudential Montana Real Estate

314 North Higgins

Artists' Retrospective: The Best of 2012

Prudential Montana Real Estate will be hosting a comprehensive year end show featuring artists from previous 2012 First Fridays. Did you miss a month? Wish you could see a particular artist again? Or just curious to see roughly twelve outstanding local artists showing their work? Come down to Prudential Montana Real Estate for their First Friday retrospective and reception.

Rocky Mountain Map Gallery

1710 Brooks Street

The Art of Maps

The Rocky Mountain Map Gallery
will be celebrating “The Art of Maps” through the month of December beginning
this First Friday, Dec. 7th from 5pm to 8:30pm. On display will be
antique, vintage and contemporary maps that embody artistic elements and styles
as a means of enhancing both the visual appeal and ability of the map to convey
a complex mix of geographic, historical and cultural
information.We will also be celebrating the
third anniversary of our Missoula gallery with refreshments and lots of
merriment, so come early and peruse the many new and interesting maps, prints,
books and gift items that will be available just in time for your holiday
shopping.

Selvedge Studio

509 South Higgins

Workshop Hosted by Erin Rhyne

Make a mini flower as a brooch, or for your hair. Keep it or give it to a
friend! See you for wine, treats and crafting!

Smile Labs

401 West Broadway

"Painting of Possibilities" Oil on Canvas by Steve Wilson

"As a child, I was captivated as I watched
my mother paint. The brush seemed to have a mind of it's own . Each stroke
brought a new promise, a new possibility. I was fascinated as the paintings
seemed to come to life. As a young man, I began a new challenge. I discovered a
new way of talking. Art, like music, is a universal language.
It has the ability to speak cross culturally surpassing all language and
cultural boundaries. It can even speak to the very heart and soul of a person.
My desire is that through my work, I can speak to others in a way that my words
could never express. I want to speak to them in a way that touches who they are
inside." -Steve Wilson

The Tides Gallery at Bathing Beauties

501 South Higgins

Holiday Show

Group show featuring work by Ellie Duncan, Janet Bush, Adena Hofer, Shannon Kemp
& Jazmine Raymond. the leather bag featured in the photograph is the work of Janet Bush.

Union Hall

208 East Main Street, Upstairs

Art Bazaar & Sale by the Zootown Solidarity Network

Join the Zootown Solidarity Network for an exciting and special, maybe a little wacky, Art Baazar and sale. The sale will take place in the Union Hall, upstairs from 6 pm to 10 pm. This is a fundraiser show with proceeds donated to the newly formed Occupy Missoula Foreclosure Defense team, who aims to ensure that foreclosed-on kids have safe shelter. Contact missoulaforeclosuredefense@gmail.com or leave a message at 406.829.0542 and get a reply within 48 hours (sooner if it is urgent). The benefit is made possible by the combined efforts of the Occupy Missoula Foreclosure Defense team and the Zootown Solidarity Network. The Zootown Solidarity Network is a group of individuals who volunteer to help win disputes with unscrupulous employers, landlords and property management agencies. Through mutual support and collective action, we put group pressure on those who deny workers and tenants their rights to fair and honest compensation, healthy living spaces and safe work environments. For more information call 406.241.6030.

Courtney Blazon will be showcasing her drawings as Zoo City Apparel premieres a screen printed t-shirt of her work.

First Thursday

University Center Gallery

4 PM to 6 PM

December 6th, 2012

Annual Juried Art Show: Art for the End of the World

Enter the 2nd Annual Juried UM Student Art
show juried by Artist Courtney Blazon. This year’s theme is “Art for the End of
the World,” and artists are asked to imagine that this was their last chance to
create… what would your last piece be? Al media are welcome. UM Students can
pick up applications in the UCG prior to the event

Entry Fee: $5 for the first piece and $3 for each
additional piece.

Deliver Art Entries to the University Center gallery on
December 3, 2012 between 9am & 5pm

Jurying will take place on December 3rd and
announced December 4th.

Opening Reception will be held Thursday, December 6,
2012 from 4pm-6pm

Second Friday at the ZACC will be taking a hiatus for the month of December, but will be back in action for January

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